Public observing by the Shannon for April

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:28 pm

So, with the success worldwide of
2009 year of astronomy
we are now entering global astronomy month - April.
We've decided to run a public observing session by the
River Shannon once again - but what date to choose?
Well, twords the end of the month maybe
around the first quarter moon?
There is one particular evening when the moon Venus
seven sisters and (quite low) mercury are visible.
I'm not near a pc right now so, anyone got any ideas?

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 6:17 pm

So,
members and committee.

How about Friday the 16th?
There is a nice selection of planets, Crescent Moon and
other targets this particular night.
This is the scene at 9:30
Any later in the month its getting too bright.

Dave Lillis · Post by **Dave Lillis** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:40 pm

you beat me to it, thats a grand date by me.
the moon is a little low, but hey, what can you do.

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:47 pm

I think it's the only night alright,
glad your in agreement.
I think the Friday is best also as the other weekend nights
are problematic.

What say we just go for this date so.

So Dave, with your IFAS rep hat on, can you post the details on
the IFAS boards?

Dave Lillis · Post by **Dave Lillis** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:14 am

will do.

John O'Mahony · Post by **John O'Mahony** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:16 am

Might just make this one. I'm leaving on the Monday.

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:35 am

It'd be great if you could John.

John O'Mahony · Post by **John O'Mahony** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 9:25 am

Lads

I have a 5mW green laser pointer ans a set of computer speakers (as used in the BSP) to donate to the SAC. I'll bring them around on Friday night if the weather is good.

Dave Lillis · Post by **Dave Lillis** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 11:40 am

Cool, we can get it bolted to the 12" or something like that.

John O'Mahony · Post by **John O'Mahony** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:22 pm

I'm having a work send off dinner at the Hamptons on Friday night (beside the Marriot).If I don't make it over before you pack up could someone collect the items? I presume you will be there until at least 11pm- weather permitting

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:54 pm

Thanks John! I'm sure we can spare
a body to walk over the bridge to meet you.

Dave Lillis · Post by **Dave Lillis** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:23 pm

Well guys'n gals,
All I can say is WOW, what a night!
We had prestine clear skies here in Limerick, some people asked if the volcanic dust from the Icelandic volcano would be a problem when infact it has actually helped us due to the complete absence of any contrails in the sky, and not a cloud in sight.!!
Over the entire night we must have had over 150 people come along to the event with well over 100 there at one stage!!!
This was an amazing turn out and shows what some proper advertising can do for us.
We started out at 8.30 and everyone there had views of the thin cresent Moon through the clubs 12" Dob and Venus through clubs 10" Meade SCT.
The views were steady and everyone was happy.
Later on as the Moon set, we set the 2 telescopes on Saturn and again everyone got fantastic views of Saturn and its moons Titan, Tethys and Rhea, the rings were very nice also.
Later we swung the scopes over to Mars and despite its small size and it been past its best, everyone got enjoyable view of it.
Some people brought along their own scopes and we helped them in setting them up and how to use them.
By 11.30 people were starting to melt away and we finished up at midnight,

Our riverside location with the newly refurbished riverside walkway with seating, railings and bins is definitely working to our advantage despite the lighting and a few trees.
I think everyone attending got a great views of the planets and Moon, its an event we're definitely going to run again!
Many thanks to all in SAC who made this event possible!
For more information see.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannonsi ... 9044545822

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:28 am

Nice report Dave. Thanks for taking the time to do it up.
I've added it to the Club News section on the main page.

Ya, we were utterly blessed with the weather!

Along with all the papers running an article beforehand
and some local radio stations calling the club
to find out more with even Lyric FM picking it up
it turned out to be a brilliant night.

We had handouts all about GAM and the what the sidewalk astronomy
event was all about (which we ran out of quickly) along with
GAM / IFAS stickers and cards.

We contacted all the schools in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary
along with the Colleges and a great number of the attendees
were kids with thier parents.

I'm not joking when I say we at one stage needed croud controll!
:laugh:
There were so many people around the scopes that it was hard to move.
The queue was half an hour long from end to getting to the scope
and some re queued to get a second and third look.

Thanks has to go to everyone on the committee
that pitched in along with some
club members bringing thier own scopes.

We'd also like to officially wish John O Mahony
a bon voyage and happy life down under and
many thanks for his donations of gear & books to the club.

It would be fantastic to see GAM becoming more engrained into
the astronomy calander year and having May Global Astronomy Month
every year!